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Philadelphia Restaurant Week is for Amatuers: Builtd Your Own!

August 4, 2009

Restaurant Week in Philadelphia has spurred a whole culture of Prix Fixe that even near-economic melt down can’t thwart. But if you feel like you’ve mastered menu scouting, table booking (for prime spots BEFORE 11 p.m.), and enchanting the passive-aggressive and overworked servers, you may be ready for the Build Your Own Prix Fixe options.

I’ve been telling you for awhile about some of the great RecessionProofPrixFixe deals in the city, but here are the latest in the “create your own unofficial Restaurant Week without the limited time frame and other soul crushing rules & regulations” spots.

All menu prices do not include drinks, tax or tip unless otherwise noted.

Monday

Le Bec-FinWhen?: Mondays through Thursdays, through Labor Day.Price: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: One appetizer and one entree from limited list; a choice of dessert off of the famous dessert trolley.Worth It?: $35 to dine at Le Bec? Yes.Also offering prix fixes on Mondays: Matyson, Lacroix, Derek’s, Table 31

Tuesday

BlackfishWhen?: Tuesdays onlyPrice: $45How many courses?: FourWhat do you get?: Chef Chip Roman hosts a tasting every Tuesday, focusing on a single ingredient. Upcoming tastings zero in on lobster (August 4), beef (August 11), and crab (August 18).Worth It?: The restaurant is BYOB and Roman is considered one of the area’s best chefs. Annnnnd you get to be near me! In Conshohocken!

GayleWhen?: Crab Fest! Tuesdays onlyPrice: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Since being written up by Food & Wine Magazine, the Veal Stew has gotten its do acclaim. But for $35 you are getting a house salad, hard shell crabs, and their sour cream apple pie.Worth It?: The restaurant is BYOB with a gorgeous courtyard and the best servers you’ve going to find. Anywhere. Ever.

ForkWhen?: Wednesdays onlyPrice: $40 per person, including wineHow many courses?: FourWhat do you get?: The chance to sample fish-expert Terence Feury’s three-bell food; menu changes weekly.Worth It?: If you’re not picky, then yes – there are no substitutions and no reservations taken – plus, it’s rare that alcohol is included in a prix fixe. Seating is first come, first serve.

MatysonWhen?: Monday through ThursdayPrice: $45How many courses?: FiveWhat do you get?: A tasting menu based around a single ingredient. Recent offerings include a pork menu and a local produce menu.Worth It?: Yes.Also offering prix fixes on Thursday: Lacroix, Le Bec-Fin, 10 Arts, Meme, Modo Mio, Table 31

Friday

Modo MioWhen?: Tuesday through SaturdayPrice: $33How many courses?: FourWhat do you get?: Pick one dish from each menu sectionWorth It?: This has been the deal of the century for a long, long while now. Not only are they BYOB, but the chef has mastered every aspect of Italian – from the hoagie to the fine dining experience.Also offering prix fixes on Fridays: 10 Arts, Matyson, Meme, Modo Mio, Table 31, Derek’s

Saturday

MemeWhen?: Tuesday through Saturday, through September 5Price: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Choose an appetizer, entrée and dessert from chef David Katz’s menu, which will include old favorites (mussels) and new, seasonal items (chilled pea soup with crab and mint, gazpacho made with heirloom tomatoes.Worth It?: Yes. If the crowds on fried chicken Thursdays are any indication, Katz’s prix fixes are well received. Meme has a liquor license, but is BYOB on Wednesdays.

10 ArtsWhen?: Tuesday through SaturdayPrice: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Appetizer, entree and dessert; changes dailyWorth It?: It’s the Ritz. Also, executive chef and upcoming Top Chef contestant Jennifer Carroll is an Eric Ripert-trained kitchen master. On Wednesdays, you can order the menu while watching Top Chef in the restaurant.

Table 31When?: Monday through Saturday; 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.Price: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Check out the menu.Worth It?: It’s a discounted opportunity to try Chris Scarduzio’s food, but the 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. time limit makes this less appealing for some.

Sunday

LacroixWhen?: Sunday through ThursdayPrice: $35How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Varies weekly.Worth It?: $35 to dine at Lacroix? Yes.

Derek’sWhen?: DailyPrice: $18How many courses?: ThreeWhat do you get?: Check out the menu.Worth It?: The promotion only goes through the end of the summer, but three courses for $18 is nothing to sneer at. On Sundays, the entire wine list is half price and you can BYOB with no corkage fee (this is limited to one bottle, but still). You’ll have to go Manayunk, which is easily accessible to Center City by train.